logo

Dubai group Aleph to manage 26 Onomo-branded hotels in Africa

Zawya19-06-2025
African Hotel Development, the leading African lifestyle hotel group, real estate developer and owner of the Onomo brand, has signed up Dubai-based Aleph Hospitality for the management of 26 of its Onomo-branded hotels spread across 14 African countries.
This strategic move is fully in line with African Hotel Development's business realignment strategy.
By appointing Aleph Hospitality as manager of its hotel portfolio, African Hotel Development reaffirms its ambition to sharpen its focus on brand development and asset management, while accelerating the expansion of Onomo's footprint, with the objective of doubling the brand's scale within five years.
This transaction represents a new chapter in Aleph Hospitality's growth trajectory, doubling its portfolio and enabling the group to reach its goal of operating 50 hotels by the end of 2025, cementing its position as the leading independent hotel management company across the Middle East and Africa.
"The direction we are taking with Aleph Hospitality reflects our strategic decision to separate operations from ownership and brand development," remarked Julien Renaud, CEO of African Hotel Development.
"By delegating hotel operations to a trusted partner, we retain full strategic control over the future of the Onomo brand while creating the conditions for faster growth and premiumization, especially for our upscale offerings, Onomo Allure and Onomo Collection," he stated.
Through this transaction, Aleph Hospitality said it will reinforce its presence in 10+ African countries, with the opening of four new regional offices and the rollout of cluster operations in several key markets, including Kenya and Morocco where Aleph is already active.
"This partnership allows us to scale our operations and further enhance efficiency across markets," stated Bani Haddad, the Founder and Managing Director of Aleph Hospitality.
"We are proud to be selected as the operator of Onomo Hotels and are committed to delivering exceptional value for all stakeholders guests, owners, teams, and partners alike," noted Haddad.
"Africa represents one of the most dynamic and promising hospitality markets in the world today and has been at the core of our growth strategy. We're proud to further deepen our presence and bring our unique management approach to more communities across Africa," he added.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Money & Me: ‘My journey to the Dubai boardroom started with selling sanitary ware in Deira market'
Money & Me: ‘My journey to the Dubai boardroom started with selling sanitary ware in Deira market'

The National

time4 hours ago

  • The National

Money & Me: ‘My journey to the Dubai boardroom started with selling sanitary ware in Deira market'

Anis Sajan, vice chairman of Dubai-based conglomerate Danube Group, learnt the art of sales when he went door-to-door trying to sell water purifiers in Mumbai in 1991. This was after he had to leave Kuwait in 1990, where he went to join his elder brother Rizwan Sajan − current chairman of Danube Group − in sales, after the country was invaded by Iraq's Saddam Hussein. Although he made good money in Mumbai, Mr Sajan landed in Dubai in 1992 to join the plywood business of his elder brother. The younger sibling started off his Dubai journey by selling sanitary ware. 'My brother liked the Middle East, so he came to Dubai. Within six months, he started his own business using his Kuwait experience and asked me to join him,' he recalls. 'At the time, I was a bit reluctant because I didn't like Kuwait very much. But as soon as I landed in Dubai, I was taken straight to an Indian restaurant called Kamat in Karama. That made me feel right at home and the rest is history.' The Indian businessman, who studied only until the 11th grade, is now in charge of Danube's building materials division and handles the Milano brand, which includes sanitary hardware, electrical tiles and water purifiers. Mr Sajan, 54, currently lives in Emirates Hills with his wife and two children. Did wealth feature in your childhood? What did you learn from it? Not really. I grew up in a middle-class family in a chawl (a large building divided into many separate apartments, offering basic accommodation) in the Ghatkopar suburb of Mumbai, where we just had enough and lived hand to mouth. That upbringing taught me the value of money, how to spend it and respect it. How did you first earn? What did your first job pay? Before I went to Kuwait, I sold festive lights to people during the Indian festival of Diwali. I earned 300 Indian rupees ($3.40) doing this in 1988. My first proper job was with home appliance company Eureka Forbes, after I came from Kuwait. I went door to door selling water purifiers, which offered me a good experience in sales and also taught me to cope with rejection. I earned 25,000 Indian rupees a month in 1991 because I was a good salesman. I would never give up and kept knocking on doors until I clinched a sale a day. Any early financial jolts? The biggest financial setback was losing my father, who worked as a clerk, when I was just eight years old. My father was the family's breadwinner, while my brother was doing a part-time job. After his demise, he shouldered all responsibilities. It was a financial jolt, because we went from a hand-to-mouth existence to a level hard to imagine. When I came to Dubai in 1992, I was earning around Dh2,000 ($544.50) per month, so there wasn't much of a financial shock as such. I was good in sales. So, my brother and I started our own business where I sold sanitaryware and my brother sold plywood in the Deira market. The business took off. We went from being a business comprising two people to a 5,000-member workforce today. How do you grow your wealth? To grow your wealth, you need to invest in the right places. I invested in a few properties in Dubai in the early 2000s, which gave me good returns. I also grow my wealth through my business. Today is the right time to invest in UAE property. UAE real estate is one of the finest places to invest, because the return on investment is at least 8 per cent to 10 per cent, which is not available anywhere else in the world. Also, this country is a home away from home and the safest in the world. Are you a spender or a saver? Initially, I was a spender. But with time and experience, I realised that it's very important to save. Spend only what is required and don't go overboard. I believe it's easy to live rich but difficult to die rich. You need to make sure that you leave wealth behind for your family, so they do not suffer for your mistakes. I teach the same to my children, and I'm glad they have grasped it, especially my younger one who is very careful about spending. What has been your best investment? My house in Emirates Hills as I bought it in 2008 when the real estate market was down. I took a calculated risk, because I believe in a no risk, no gain approach. Today, the property has appreciated considerably. Over time, I also invested in other properties for my sons and my wife. Any cherished purchases? My Casio watch because it taught me the value of time. When I was young, I was always late. I bought it with my first salary in Dubai. Any financial advice for your younger self? Yes, to be prepared for losses when you invest in a property or a business. You cannot expect to make a profit every time. Any key financial milestones? I wouldn't like to brag and let the numbers in the bank define my success. For me, peace of mind has been my biggest milestone. What luxuries are important to you? Spending quality time with my family. Initially I was fascinated by cars, but then I realised that a car is not a luxury. Instead, a comfortable home is a luxury. I prioritise satisfaction over a luxury now. Cars depreciate the moment they come out of the showroom. For instance, I have a Rolls-Royce and a BMW, but I'm more comfortable in the latter. What are your financial goals? To create something long-lasting for my family. I want to give my family financial security even when I'm not around. This has always been the driving force behind my work. I don't like to rest on my laurels.

Former Namibian Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo to Speak at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 as Country's Offshore Oil Boom Accelerates
Former Namibian Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo to Speak at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 as Country's Offshore Oil Boom Accelerates

Zawya

time4 hours ago

  • Zawya

Former Namibian Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo to Speak at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 as Country's Offshore Oil Boom Accelerates

Tom Alweendo, Former Minister of Mines and Energy, Namibia will participate as a speaker at this year's African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025, taking place in Cape Town from September 29 to October 3. Alweendo – who led Namibia's Ministry of Mines and Energy from 2018 until March 2025 – recently launched Alvenco Advisory, a strategic consultancy aimed at assisting investors in navigating Namibia's political, fiscal, legal and environmental regimes. The firm offers tailored advisory services covering policy and regulatory compliance, alignment with national development priorities, and stakeholder engagement at both community and government levels. By leveraging Alweendo's extensive ministerial experience and network, Alvenco Advisory aims to facilitate responsible investment that unlocks value, drive industrial participation and supports Namibia's long-term socioeconomic objectives. AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event. Namibia's offshore oil and gas sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, marked by a series of world-class discoveries and heightened exploration activity. The most recent milestone came in April this year, when the Capricornus 1-X exploration well in offshore Block 2914A delivered a successful light oil discovery. Operated by Rhino Resources alongside partners Azule Energy, Namcor and Korres Investments, the well encountered 38m of high-quality net pay, flowed over 11,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) during testing and confirmed the presence of a commercially viable light oil system. Capricornus 1-X mirrors the characteristics of the nearby Venus and Graff discoveries, reinforcing the Orange Basin's position as a globally significant petroleum province. The African Energy Chamber (AEC) – as the voice of the African energy sector – recently commended the PEL85 joint venture partners for delivering one of Namibia's most significant oil discoveries to date, noting its potential to catalyze further investment, fast-track appraisal drilling and accelerate development initiatives. Drilling momentum is set to remain strong throughout 2025, with seven wells planned this year alone. These include Marula-1X by TotalEnergies and a second PEL85 well planned by Rhino Resources, as well as the Kharas prospect within BW Energy's Kudu license. Additional prospects at Olympe and Saturn have also been identified, signaling continued confidence from major international operators. Namibia's Ministry of Mines and Energy has confirmed new licensing opportunities in 2025 under an open licensing regime, spanning deepwater, ultra-deepwater and shallow-water environments. The country's Petroleum Commission has emphasized the government's commitment to attracting fresh investment while ensuring discoveries are fast-tracked to first oil and deliver tangible benefits to the national economy. Beyond exploration, development planning is advancing on two of Namibia's largest finds. TotalEnergies' Venus project in Block 2913B is targeting a 2026 final investment decision and ap planned 150,000-bpd FPSO facility. Galp is progressing appraisal of its Mopane discovery, supported by 3,500km 2 of newly acquired high-density seismic data. 'Tom Alweendo's leadership and deep understanding of Namibia's energy landscape come at a pivotal moment for the country's resource development. His insights will be invaluable in guiding discussions on how to translate world-class discoveries into sustainable economic growth and long-term benefits for all Namibians,' states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. Namibia's emergence as one of the world's most promising oil frontiers – underpinned by a stable regulatory environment, competitive licensing terms and a strong governance framework – positions the country as a leading destination for global upstream investment. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Invest in seconds: PRYPCO unveils instant AI valuations for fractional real estate in Dubai
Invest in seconds: PRYPCO unveils instant AI valuations for fractional real estate in Dubai

Arabian Business

time5 hours ago

  • Arabian Business

Invest in seconds: PRYPCO unveils instant AI valuations for fractional real estate in Dubai

UAE-based PropTech firm PRYPCO has partnered with Ovaluate — the world's first AI-driven Automated Valuation Model (AVM) platform — to launch the first-ever instant valuation engine for fractional real estate. Integrated into PRYPCO Blocks, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)-regulated fractional ownership platform, the new tool delivers accurate, regulator-approved property valuations, for both fractional and full ownership assets, in just 10 seconds. Ovaluate's AVM technology draws on real-time market data and global valuation standards to generate transparent, unbiased, and compliant reports. UAE PropTech launches Dubai real estate valuation service Amira Sajwani, Founder and CEO of PRYPCO, said: 'Fractional ownership has transformed real estate investing, and trust depends on valuations that are accurate, transparent, and fast. 'With Ovaluate's AI-driven valuation technology integrated into PRYPCO Blocks, every investor now gets instant, data-backed insights. It's about levelling the playing field, strengthening market transparency, and reinforcing Dubai's leadership in PropTech innovation'. The partnership marks a major step for transparency in real estate, offering valuation capabilities once reserved for institutional investors to a wider global audience. Omran Yousef, Founder and CEO of Ovaluate, said: 'Our mission has always been to ensure property valuations are instant, unbiased, and methodologically sound. By partnering with PRYPCO Blocks, we're not just enhancing that standard, we're bringing it into a new era of real estate investment, where technology and transparency empower every investor'. Since launching, PRYPCO Blocks has made premium, regulated property investment accessible to investors in more than 200 countries, starting from just AED2,000 ($544).

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store